Villanova

[IrwinFletcher]

It always amazes me how many MU fans NEVER believe in their own team...and yet here this team is...9-3 and tied for the league lead. How far do they have to go before they make believers out of their own fans?? It's generally like this every year too. It has always confused me. Only thing i can think of is MU fans like a "good story" and a David(MU) Slaying Goliath(everyone they play) mentality, because it's a "feel good" story. It's about time MU fans wake up and realize this team is just good. As have past MU teams been.

It always amazes me that some fans view this team through Rose colored glasses. Nobody has ever said that this team is bad and won't win certain games. I think that most fans are realistic, see the flaws in this team and understand that it is very difficult to win on the road vs. good teams. It is also very difficult to win games against someone who is in the Top 10 regardless of venues.

This team while very good has been inconsistent and does not match up well vs athletic, long, fast paced typed teams. Syracuse and SJU fit that bill and Villanova isn't that far behind.

3-3 would be the baseline for me with 5-1 being the upper hand range.

Sorry if that is pessimistic for you.

[kneelb4zerg]

I'm going to agree with Iceman here. I don't think it takes rose-colored glasses to see that this team has a great shot to win the Big East. Doesn't mean it's a sure thing or that it won't be difficult, but this team is 10-3 (not 9-3). Tough games left, to be sure, but the toughest opponents are at home where we are riding a lengthy winning streak. I'm past the point of being pessimistic about this team.

[TheSultan]

Some people are optimistic by nature...some are pessimistic. No need to quibble because it really doesn't have any significant impact on what happens on the floor.

[bleedbluegold03]

I don't call it pessimism, I call it realism

[MU_Iceman]

I'm going to agree with Iceman here. I don't think it takes rose-colored glasses to see that this team has a great shot to win the Big East. Doesn't mean it's a sure thing or that it won't be difficult, but this team is 10-3 (not 9-3). Tough games left, to be sure, but the toughest opponents are at home where we are riding a lengthy winning streak. I'm past the point of being pessimistic about this team.

Thank You kneel! No doubt in my mind, if they win Saturday and then win Monday...they run the table and win the Big East outright. Saturday's game will determine if they will or won't though, as crazy as that sounds...lose Tomm, and it's going to be tough(at least to win it outright, but I think Cuse has at least one more loss in them yet if not against MU), win, and as far as I'm concerned, they will control their own destiny.

[MUfan12]

This team while very good has been inconsistent and does not match up well vs athletic, long, fast paced typed teams. Syracuse and SJU fit that bill and Villanova isn't that far behind.

3-3 would be the baseline for me with 5-1 being the upper hand range.

Sorry if that is pessimistic for you.

I agree with this. The way I see it, the toughest games left are Cuse, Nova, and St. John's. If they manage to go 2-1 in those games, I think they at least win a share of the league title.

Cuse and Georgetown will beat each other once. The team I worry about is Louisville. Their schedule is not that difficult.

[mutpm]

Thank You kneel! No doubt in my mind, if they win Saturday and then win Monday...they run the table and win the Big East outright. Saturday's game will determine if they will or won't though, as crazy as that sounds...lose Tomm, and it's going to be tough(at least to win it outright, but I think Cuse has at least one more loss in them yet if not against MU), win, and as far as I'm concerned, they will control their own destiny.

I think the problem some fans have, myself included, are these bold statements. I'm a stats guy by nature. I believe MU has a 75% chance to win tomorrow and a 60% chance to win on Monday. The likelihood of both happening, if those are the appropriate percentages, is 45%. That's why I won't be surprised or devastated should a loss occur in either one of those games. Maybe that make me a pessimist, but I like to play the odds.

[Markedman]

I don't have access to Pomeroy's game by game stats but my guess is tomorrows odds are much less then 75%...more like 50-55. Syracuse game is probably closer to 50-50 then 60-40.

FWIW Vegas has Nova as a 2 point favorite....opened at 1.

Sagarin says MU by 1.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

If I had to pick one to win I would hope we can get Monday's win... that being said I feel 10x more confident about Nova than I do Cuse even though we have them at home. For whatever reason Syracuse just isn't a good matchup for us most years, I really hope that this year is different.

[mutpm]

I don't have access to Pomeroy's game by game stats but my guess is tomorrows odds are much less then 75%...more like 50-55. Syracuse game is probably closer to 50-50 then 60-40.

FWIW Vegas has Nova as a 2 point favorite....opened at 1.

Sagarin says MU by 1.

I'm sure the official % is around 50, I was giving my belief. Yet, I'm considered a pessimist by some.